Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are a liquid crystal display device which is capable of driving a liquid crystal using image signals supplied to two adjacent data lines, and a driving method thereof. The liquid crystal display device has a plurality of liquid crystal cells formed respectively in pixel areas defined by crossings of a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines. Each of the liquid crystal cells includes a thin film transistor connected to any one of the gate lines and any one of the data lines, and a liquid crystal capacitor and a storage capacitor each formed between a data line adjacent thereto, among the data lines, and the thin film transistor. The thin film transistors of the liquid crystal cells are alternately arranged between and alternately connected to every two vertically adjacent ones of the gate lines along the gate lines.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.P2007-134222, filed on Dec. 20, 2007, which is hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, andmore particularly, to a liquid crystal display device which is capableof driving a liquid crystal using image signals supplied to two adjacentdata lines, and a driving method thereof.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, a related art liquid crystal display device is adapted todisplay an image by adjusting light transmittance of a liquid crystalusing an electric field. To this end, the liquid crystal display devicecomprises a liquid crystal panel including liquid crystal cells arrangedin a matrix form between two glass substrates, each having a liquidcrystal formed between the glass substrates and switching elements forswitching signals to be supplied to the liquid crystal cells,respectively, a driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal panel,and a backlight unit for irradiating light to the liquid crystal panel.

Each of the liquid crystal cells of the liquid crystal panel adjustslight transmittance of the liquid crystal based on an electric fieldformed by a potential difference between an image signal supplied to acorresponding data line and a common voltage applied to an oppositeelectrode.

However, the related art liquid crystal display device has problems asfollows.

First, a common voltage supply line is required to apply the commonvoltage to the opposite electrode of each liquid crystal cell, resultingin a reduction in aperture ratio of each liquid crystal cell.

Second, because a flicker occurs due to a kickback voltage ΔVp resultingfrom a parasitic capacitance of each liquid crystal cell, the commonvoltage must be adjusted to remove the flicker.

Third, a picture quality is degraded due to a horizontal crosstalkresulting from a distortion of the common voltage based on the positionof each liquid crystal cell.

Fourth, a voltage of a direct current (DC) offset component is appliedto the liquid crystal due to the kickback voltage, resulting in adeterioration of the liquid crystal.

Fifth, an afterimage is generated due to a polarity inversion of eachliquid crystal cell based on an inversion scheme. That is, in order toreduce the DC offset component and, in turn, the deterioration of theliquid crystal, the related art liquid crystal display device is drivenin the inversion scheme where the polarity is inverted between adjacentliquid crystal cells and on a frame period basis. However, when any oneof two polarities of a data voltage is dominantly supplied for a lengthyperiod of time, an afterimage in which the pattern of the original imageappears faintly is generated. This afterimage is called “DC imagesticking” in that a voltage of the same polarity is repetitively chargedin the liquid crystal cell.

Sixth, because the voltage level of an image signal is divided into apositive polarity and a negative polarity on the basis of the commonvoltage, the image signal has a large swing width based on thepolarities, thereby increasing the amount of heat to be generated in adata driving circuit and the amount of current to be consumed therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a liquid crystaldisplay device and a driving method thereof that substantially obviateone or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the relatedart.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystaldisplay device which is capable of driving a liquid crystal using imagesignals supplied to two adjacent data lines, and a driving methodthereof.

Additional advantages, and features of the invention will be set forthin part in the description which follows and in part will becomeapparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination ofthe following or may be learned from practice of the invention. Theseand other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained bythe structure particularly pointed out in the written description andclaims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages in accordance with the purpose ofthe invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a liquidcrystal display device has a plurality of liquid crystal cells formedrespectively in pixel areas defined by crossings of a plurality of gatelines and a plurality of data lines, wherein each of the liquid crystalcells comprises: a thin film transistor connected to any one of the gatelines and any one of the data lines; and a liquid crystal capacitor anda storage capacitor each formed between a data line adjacent thereto,among the data lines, and the thin film transistor, wherein the thinfilm transistors of the liquid crystal cells are alternately arrangedbetween and alternately connected to every two vertically adjacent onesof the gate lines along the gate lines.

In another aspect of the present invention, a liquid crystal displaydevice has a plurality of liquid crystal cells formed respectively inpixel areas defined by crossings of a plurality of gate lines and aplurality of data lines, wherein each of the liquid crystal cells isconnected to two data lines adjacent respectively to left and rightsides thereof, among the data lines, and one unit pixel is constitutedby every first to third ones of the liquid crystal cells, arrangedadjacent to one another in a direction of the gate lines, wherein anyone of the liquid crystal cells of the unit pixel is connected to a gateline different from that to which the other liquid crystal cells of theunit pixel are connected.

In another aspect of the present invention, a liquid crystal displaydevice comprises: an image display panel including a plurality of liquidcrystal cells formed respectively in pixel areas defined byintersections of a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of datalines, each of the liquid crystal cells being driven by first and secondimage signals supplied respectively to two data lines adjacentrespectively to left and right sides thereof, among the data lines; agate driving circuit for driving the gate lines; a data driving circuitfor converting the same data into the first and second image signals,the first and second image signals having voltage levels symmetrical toeach other, and supplying the converted first and second image signalsto each of the liquid crystal cells, respectively, through the twoadjacent data lines; and a timing controller for controlling the gatedriving circuit and the data driving circuit and supplying the datacorresponding to the first and second image signals to the data drivingcircuit, wherein the first and second image signals are symmetricalabout a middle voltage between a lowest voltage and a highest voltage.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for driving aliquid crystal display device, where the liquid crystal display devicehas a plurality of liquid crystal cells formed respectively in pixelareas defined by crossings of a plurality of gate lines and a pluralityof data lines, comprises: sequentially driving the gate lines;converting the same data into first and second image signals, the firstand second image signals being symmetrical about a middle voltagebetween a lowest voltage and a highest voltage; and supplying the firstand second image signals to each of the liquid crystal cells,respectively, through two data lines adjacent respectively to left andright sides thereof, among the data lines, synchronously with thedriving of a corresponding one of the gate lines.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a method for driving aliquid crystal display device, where the liquid crystal display devicehas a plurality of liquid crystal cells formed respectively in pixelareas defined by intersections of a plurality of gate lines and aplurality of data lines and one unit pixel is constituted by every firstto third ones of the liquid crystal cells, arranged adjacent to oneanother in a direction of the gate lines, comprises: sequentiallydriving the gate lines; converting the same data into first and secondimage signals, the first and second image signals being symmetricalabout a middle voltage between a lowest voltage and a highest voltage;and supplying the first and second image signals to each of one or someof the liquid crystal cells of the unit pixel, respectively, through twodata lines adjacent respectively to left and right sides thereof, amongthe data lines, synchronously with the driving of a first one of twogate lines adjacent respectively to upper and lower sides of the unitpixel, among the gate lines, and supplying the first and second imagesignals to each of the other liquid crystal cells or the other liquidcrystal cell of the unit pixel, respectively, through two data linesadjacent respectively to left and right sides thereof, among the datalines, synchronously with the driving of a second one of the twoadjacent gate lines.

The step of converting comprises: generating a plurality of positivegamma voltages having different voltage levels higher than the middlevoltage; generating a plurality of negative gamma voltages havingdifferent voltage levels lower than the middle voltage, the negativegamma voltages being symmetrical to the positive gamma voltages withrespect to the middle voltage; sampling the data; and converting thesampled data into the first and second image signals in response to apolarity control signal using the positive gamma voltages and thenegative gamma voltages.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a liquid crystal display device accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a layout of liquid crystal cells formed inan image display panel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a timing controller shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating odd and even data stored in a data storageunit shown in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views illustrating odd and even data output from adata output unit shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another configuration of the liquidcrystal display device according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 7A to 7D are views illustrating a driving method of the liquidcrystal display device according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a liquid crystal display device accordingto a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a layout of liquid crystal cells formed inan image display panel shown in FIG. 8; and

FIGS. 10A to 10D are views illustrating a driving method of the liquidcrystal display device according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a liquid crystal display device accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a planview showing a layout of liquid crystal cells formed in an image displaypanel shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid crystal display device accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention comprises an imagedisplay panel 2 including a plurality of liquid crystal cells P formedrespectively in pixel areas defined by m+1 data lines DL1 to DLm+1 and ngate lines GL1 to GLn, each adapted for driving a liquid crystal basedon image signals supplied to two data lines adjacent respectively to theleft and right sides thereof, among the data lines DL1 to DLm+1, a gatedriving circuit 4 for driving the gate lines GL1 to GLn, a data drivingcircuit 6 for supplying an image signal to each of the data lines DL1 toDLm+1, and a timing controller 8 for supplying a data signal to the datadriving circuit 6 and controlling the gate and data driving circuits 4and 6.

Each liquid crystal cell P includes a thin film transistor T connectedto any one of the n gate lines GL1 to GLn and any one of the m+1 datalines DL1 to DLm+1, and a liquid crystal capacitor C1 and a storagecapacitor C2 each formed between the thin film transistor T and a dataline DL adjacent thereto, among the data lines DL1 to DLm+1.

The thin film transistors T of the liquid crystal cells P arealternately arranged between every two vertically adjacent ones GL ofthe gate lines GL1 to GLn along the gate lines GL. Three liquid crystalcells adjacent along the gate lines GL, namely, red, green and blueliquid crystal cells constitute one unit pixel.

In detail, the thin film transistors T of odd ones (referred tohereinafter as a “first liquid crystal cell group”) P1 of the liquidcrystal cells P on horizontal lines corresponding to the direction ofthe gate lines GL are connected respectively to the odd gate lines GL1,GL3, GL5, . . . , GLn-1 and the odd data lines DL1, DL3, DL5, . . . ,DLm−1, except the (m+1)th data line DLm+1. Also, the thin filmtransistors T of even ones (referred to hereinafter as a “second liquidcrystal cell group”) P2 of the liquid crystal cells P on the horizontallines are connected respectively to the even gate lines GL2, GL4, GL6, .. . , GLn and the even data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm.

Each liquid crystal cell of the first liquid crystal cell group P1includes a thin film transistor T including a semiconductor layeroverlapping a corresponding one of the odd gate lines GL1, GL3, GL5, . .. , GLn−1 and having one side formed to partially overlap acorresponding one of the odd data lines DL1, DL3, DL5, . . . , DLm−1,and a drain electrode formed to overlap the other side of thesemiconductor layer, a pixel electrode 14 connected to the drainelectrode via a first contact hole 13, an opposite electrode 16connected to an adjacent one of the even data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . ., DLm via a second contact hole 18 and formed to partially overlap thepixel electrode 14, and a protrusion electrode 15 protruded from theadjacent even data line to partially overlap the pixel electrode 14.

The data line DL overlapped by the one side of the semiconductor layeracts as a source electrode of the thin film transistor T.

The drain electrode of the thin film transistor T includes a verticalportion 12 a formed to overlap the other side of the semiconductor layerand arranged in parallel with the corresponding odd data line whilebeing spaced apart from the corresponding odd data line by apredetermined distance, a first horizontal portion 12 b protruded fromthe top of the vertical portion 12 a and arranged in parallel with thecorresponding odd gate line while being spaced apart from thecorresponding odd gate line by a predetermined distance, and a secondhorizontal portion 12 c protruded from the bottom of the verticalportion 12 a and arranged in parallel with a corresponding one of theeven gate lines GL2, GL4, GL6, . . . , GLn while being spaced apart fromthe corresponding even gate line by a predetermined distance. Here, thefirst horizontal portion 12 b is protruded longer than the secondhorizontal portion 12 c such that it is adjacent to the adjacent evendata line, and the second horizontal portion 12 c is protruded shorterthan the first horizontal portion 12 b such that it is adjacent to theprotrusion electrode 15. Alternatively, the second horizontal portion 12c may not be formed.

The pixel electrode 14 is electrically connected to the drain electrodevia the first contact hole 13, which is formed in a bent portion betweenthe (‘□1’ □□) vertical portion 12 a of the drain electrode and thesecond horizontal portion 12 c of the drain electrode. The pixelelectrode 14 includes a first body overlapping the second horizontalportion 12 c of the drain electrode and the protrusion electrode 15 viaa protection film (not shown), and a plurality of first wings protrudedfrom the first body by a predetermined distance from the first body.Here, the plurality of first wings are arranged in parallel at regularintervals and each have at least one of a bent shape, curved shape andstraight line shape. Any one of the plurality of first wings may overlapthe vertical portion 12 a of the drain electrode.

The opposite electrode 16 is electrically connected to the adjacent evendata line via the second contact hole 18. The opposite electrode 16includes a second body overlapping the first horizontal portion 12 b ofthe drain electrode via a protection film, and a plurality of secondwings protruded from the second body toward the first body of the pixelelectrode 14. Here, each of the plurality of second wings has the sameshape as that of each of the plurality of first wings and is disposedbetween adjacent ones of the plurality of first wings. Any one of theplurality of second wings may overlap the adjacent even data line.

The liquid crystal capacitor C1 is formed by a liquid crystal layerbetween the pixel electrode 14 and the opposite electrode 16.

The storage capacitor C2 includes a first storage capacitor formed by anoverlap of the first horizontal portion 12 b of the drain electrode andthe second body of the opposite electrode 16, and a second storagecapacitor formed by an overlap of the first body of the pixel electrode14 and the protrusion electrode 15.

On the other hand, each liquid crystal cell of the second liquid crystalcell group P2 is formed to have the same configuration as that of eachliquid crystal cell of the first liquid crystal cell group P1, with theexception that the semiconductor layer of the thin film transistor T isformed on a corresponding one of the even gate lines GL2, GL4, GL6, . .. , GLn.

Each liquid crystal capacitor C1 of the first liquid crystal cell groupP1 drives a liquid crystal by forming a horizontal electric field basedon a potential difference between a first image signal from acorresponding one of the odd data lines DL1, DL3, DL5, . . . , DLm−1,except the (m+1)th data line DLm+1, and a second image signal from acorresponding one of the even data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm. Atthis time, the second image signal which is supplied from each of theeven data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm to the opposite electrode isa reference voltage to drive the first liquid crystal cell group P1.Each storage capacitor C2 of the first liquid crystal cell group P1stores the potential difference between the first image signal and thesecond image signal when the first liquid crystal cell group P1 isdriven, so as to maintain a voltage stored in each liquid crystalcapacitor C1 of the first liquid crystal cell group P1 after the thinfilm transistor T is turned off.

Also, each liquid crystal capacitor C1 of the second liquid crystal cellgroup P2 drives a liquid crystal by forming an electric field based on apotential difference between a first image signal which is supplied froma corresponding one of the even data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm tothe pixel electrode 14 and a second image signal which is supplied froma corresponding one of the odd data lines DL3, DL5, . . . , DLm+1,except the first data line DL1, to the opposite electrode 16. At thistime, the second image signal which is supplied from each of the odddata lines DL3, DL5, . . . , DLm+1, except the first data line DL1, tothe opposite electrode 16 is a reference voltage to drive the secondliquid crystal cell group P2. Each storage capacitor C2 of the secondliquid crystal cell group P2 stores the potential difference between thefirst image signal and the second image signal when the second liquidcrystal cell group P2 is driven, so as to maintain a voltage stored ineach liquid crystal capacitor C1 of the second liquid crystal cell groupP2 after the thin film transistor T is turned off.

The timing controller 8 includes, as shown in FIG. 3, a data arranger 20for arranging input data signals R, G and B into odd data OData and evendata EData and supplying the arranged odd data OData and even data EDatato the data driving circuit 6, and a control signal generator 30 forgenerating gate and data control signals GCS and DCS using synchronoussignals.

The control signal generator 30 generates the gate control signal GCSfor supply of a gate pulse to each gate line GL of the image displaypanel 2 using at least one of a dot clock DCLK, a data enable signal DEand vertical and horizontal synchronous signals Vsync and Hsync from theoutside. Here, the gate control signal GCS includes a gate start pulseGSP, gate shift clock GSC and gate output enable signal GOE to control adriving timing of the gate driving circuit 4.

Also, the control signal generator 30 generates the data control signalDCS for supply of an image signal to each data line DL of the imagedisplay panel 2 using at least one of the dot clock DCLK, the dataenable signal DE and the vertical and horizontal synchronous signalsVsync and Hsync from the outside. Here, the data control signal DCSincludes a source output enable signal SOE, source shift clock SSC,source start pulse SSP and polarity control signal POL to control adriving timing of the data driving circuit 6.

The data arranger 20 includes a data separator 22, data storage unit 24,and data output unit 26.

The data separator 22 receives red, green and blue data signals R, G andB inputted over three data bus lines DB1, DB2 and DB3, separates each ofthe received red, green and blue data signals R, G and B into odd dataOData and even data EData corresponding to an array structure of theliquid crystal cells in the image display panel 2, and stores theseparated odd data OData and even data EData in the data storage unit24, as shown in FIG. 4. For example, the data separator 22 stores odddata OData: R11, B11, G12, R13, B13, G14, . . . , Bnm to be supplied tothe first liquid crystal cell group P1, among the inputted data signalsR, G and B, in an odd data region OR of the data storage unit 24, andstores even data EData: G11, R12, B12, G13, R14, B14, . . . , Gnm to besupplied to the second liquid crystal cell group P2, among the inputteddata signals R, G and B, in an even data region ER of the data storageunit 24.

The data output unit 26 changes the output order of the odd data ODataand even data EData stored respectively in the odd and even data regionsOR and ER of the data storage unit 24 using the dot clock DCLK or aclock internally generated by the timing controller 8 such that the odddata OData and even data EData correspond to the number of data buslines between the timing controller 8 and the data driving circuit 6,and supplies the odd data OData and even data EData to the data drivingcircuit 6 in the changed output order.

In detail, the data output unit 26 outputs odd data OData or even dataEData to be supplied to each liquid crystal cell to both two data buslines. At this time, the data outputted to any one of the two data buslines is data for generation of the first image signal, and the dataoutputted to the other data bus line is data for generation of thesecond image signal. For example, in the first liquid crystal cell ofthe red color connected to the first and second data lines and the firstgate line, the data output unit 26 outputs the red odd data R11 to besupplied to the first liquid crystal cell of the red color to both firstand second data bus lines. Consequently, the data output unit 26 changesthe output order of odd data OData as shown in FIG. 5A such that the odddata OData corresponds to an arranged position of the first liquidcrystal cell group P1 in the image display panel 2, and outputs the odddata OData to six data bus lines DB1 to DB6 in the changed output order.Similarly, the data output unit 26 changes the output order of even dataEData as shown in FIG. 5B such that the even data EData corresponds toan arranged position of the second liquid crystal cell group P2 in theimage display panel 2, and outputs the even data EData to the six databus lines DB1 to DB6 in the changed output order.

In FIG. 1, the gate driving circuit 4 generates a gate pulse in responseto the gate control signal GCS supplied from the timing controller 8 andsupplies the generated gate pulse sequentially to the gate lines GL. Asa result, the gate lines GL of the image display panel 2 aresequentially driven by the gate pulse from the gate driving circuit 4.On the other hand, the gate driving circuit 4 may be formed on asubstrate on which the image display panel 2 is formed and be connectedto the gate lines GL, at the same time that a manufacturing process ofthe thin film transistor is performed.

This gate driving circuit 4 is disposed at one side of the image displaypanel 2 and connected to one ends of the gate lines GL, as shown inFIG. 1. Alternatively, the gate driving circuit 4 may include first andsecond gate driving circuits 4A and 4B disposed at both ends of theimage display panel 2 and connected to both ends of the gate lines GL,respectively, as shown in FIG. 6. In this case, the first gate drivingcircuit 4A supplies the gate pulse sequentially to the odd gate linesGL1, GL3, GL5, . . . , GLn−1, among the gate lines GL, and the secondgate driving circuit 4B supplies the gate pulse sequentially to the evengate lines GL2, GL4, GL6, . . . , GLn, among the gate lines GL.

The data driving circuit 6 samples odd data OData or even data EData ofone horizontal line, supplied from the timing controller 8 over the databus lines as shown in FIGS. 5A or 5B, using the data control signal DCSsupplied from the timing controller 8, converts the sampled data intopositive image signals or negative image signals using a plurality ofgamma voltages and the polarity control signal and supplies theconverted positive or negative image signals to the data lines.

Here, the plurality of gamma voltages include a plurality of positive(+) gamma voltages and a plurality of negative (−) gamma voltages whichare symmetrical about a middle voltage between a lowest voltage and ahighest voltage. For example, in the case where the lowest voltage is 0Vand the highest voltage is 8V, the plurality of positive (+) gammavoltages have different voltage levels within the range of more than 4Vwhich is the middle voltage, but not more than 8V, and the plurality ofnegative (−) gamma voltages have different voltage levels within therange from 0V to less than 4V. Here, 0V may be a negative white voltageand 8V may be a positive white voltage. As a result, sampled data isconverted into a positive first image signal or negative first imagesignal or converted into a positive second image signal or negativesecond image signal.

Because the first and second image signals which are supplied to eachliquid crystal cell P are symmetrical about the middle voltage as statedabove, the liquid crystal of each liquid crystal cell P can be drivenwith a high voltage. For example, for display of a positive white imageon a liquid crystal cell, conventionally, a common voltage of 4V issupplied to an opposite electrode through a common voltage supply lineand a positive data voltage of 8V is applied to a pixel electrodethrough a data line, so that the positive white image is displayed usinga potential difference of 4V. In contrast, in the present invention, apositive first image signal of 8V is supplied to a pixel electrodethrough a first data line and a negative second image signal of 0V issupplied to an opposite electrode through a second data line, so thatthe positive white image is displayed using a potential difference of8V. Consequently, according to the present invention, the positive whiteimage is displayed using the potential difference of 8V, thereby makingit possible to drive the liquid crystal with a high voltage comparedwith a conventional one, so as to increase a response speed of theliquid crystal. In addition, in the case where the liquid crystaldriving voltage of the present invention is made to be equal to aconventional one, the present invention can reduce power consumption.

FIGS. 7A to 7D are views stepwise illustrating the polarities of imagesignals supplied to the image display panel and the polarities of theliquid crystal cells of the image display panel, in a driving method ofthe liquid crystal display device according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention. FIGS. 7A to 7D show only liquid crystal cells towhich image signals are supplied.

First, the gate pulse is supplied to the first gate line GL1 by the gatedriving circuit 4. In synchronization with this, the data drivingcircuit 6 supplies positive (+) first image signals R11+, B11+, . . . ,G1 m+ respectively to the odd data lines DL1, DL3, DL5, . . . , DLm−1,except the (m+1)th data line DLm+1, and supplies negative (−) secondimage signals R11−, B1−, . . . , G1 m− respectively to the even datalines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm, as shown in FIG. 7A. As a result, eachliquid crystal cell of the first liquid crystal cell group P1 of thefirst horizontal line displays an image by driving the liquid crystalwith a positive electric field based on a potential difference of thefirst image signal from the second image signal supplied to the oppositeelectrode. Hereinafter, the image displayed by the positive electricfield will be referred to as a “positive image”. For example, in thecase where a first image signal of 8V is supplied to the first data lineDL1 and, at the same time, a second image signal of 0V is supplied tothe second data line DL2, the first liquid crystal cell forms a positiveelectric field to display a positive image (+), because the data voltageof 8V is higher than the reference voltage of 0V.

Thereafter, the gate pulse is supplied to the second gate line GL2 bythe gate driving circuit 4. In synchronization with this, the datadriving circuit 6 supplies negative (−) first image signals G11−, R12−,. . . , B1 m− respectively to the even data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . ,DLm and supplies positive (+) second image signals G11+, R12+, . . . ,B1 m+ respectively to the odd data lines DL3, DL5, . . . , DLm+1, exceptthe first data line DL1, as shown in FIG. 7B. At this time, although thenegative (−) first image signals G11−, R12−, . . . , B1 m− are suppliedto the even data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm, a potentialdifference charged in each liquid crystal cell P of the first liquidcrystal cell group P1 is maintained as it is. That is, because the pixelelectrode of each liquid crystal cell P is in a floating state, thevoltage of the pixel electrode varies similarly to a voltage variationof the storage capacitor C2 according to characteristics of thecapacitor. As a result, the potential difference charged in each liquidcrystal cell P is maintained as it is.

Consequently, each liquid crystal cell of the second liquid crystal cellgroup P2 of the first horizontal line displays an image by driving theliquid crystal with a negative electric field based on a potentialdifference of the first image signal from the second image signalsupplied to the opposite electrode. Hereinafter, the image displayed bythe negative electric field will be referred to as a “negative image”.For example, in the case where a first image signal of 0V is supplied tothe second data line DL2 and, at the same time, a second image signal of8V is supplied to the third data line DL3, the second liquid crystalcell forms a negative electric field to display a negative image (−),because the data voltage of 0V is lower than the reference voltage of8V.

By displaying a negative image (−) on the second liquid crystal cellgroup P2 of the first horizontal line based on the driving of the secondgate line GL2 after displaying a positive image (+) on the first liquidcrystal cell group P1 of the first horizontal line based on the drivingof the first gate line GL1, as stated above, the polarities of theliquid crystal cells of the first horizontal line are inverted for everyliquid crystal cell. Also, by combining an image displayed on one orsome of the liquid crystal cells of the unit pixel by the driving of thefirst gate line GL1 and an image displayed on the other liquid crystalcells or the other liquid crystal cell of the unit pixel by the drivingof the second gate line GL2, a desired image is displayed on the unitpixel.

Thereafter, the gate pulse is supplied to the third gate line GL3 by thegate driving circuit 4. In synchronization with this, the data drivingcircuit 6 supplies negative (−) first image signals R21−, B21−, . . . ,G2 m− respectively to the odd data lines DL1, DL3, DL5, . . . , DLm−1,except the (m+1)th data line DLm+1, and supplies positive (+) secondimage signals R21+, B21+, . . . , G2 m+ respectively to the even datalines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm, as shown in FIG. 7C. As a result, eachliquid crystal cell of the first liquid crystal cell group P1 of thesecond horizontal line displays a negative image (−) by driving theliquid crystal with a negative electric field based on a potentialdifference of the first image signal from the second image signalsupplied to the opposite electrode.

Thereafter, the gate pulse is supplied to the fourth gate line GL4 bythe gate driving circuit 4. In synchronization with this, the datadriving circuit 6 supplies positive (+) first image signals G21+, R22+,. . . , B2 m+ respectively to the even data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . ,DLm and supplies negative (−) second image signals G21−, R22−, . . . ,B2 m− respectively to the odd data lines DL3, DL5, . . . , DLm+1, exceptthe first data line DL1, as shown in FIG. 7D. As a result, each liquidcrystal cell of the second liquid crystal cell group P2 of the secondhorizontal line displays a positive image (+) by driving the liquidcrystal with a positive electric field based on a potential differenceof the first image signal from the second image signal supplied to theopposite electrode.

By displaying a positive image (+) on the second liquid crystal cellgroup P2 of the second horizontal line based on the driving of thefourth gate line GL4 after displaying a negative image (−) on the firstliquid crystal cell group P1 of the second horizontal line based on thedriving of the third gate line GL3, as stated above, the polarities ofthe liquid crystal cells of the second horizontal line are inverted forevery liquid crystal cell and become inverted ones of the polarities ofthe liquid crystal cells of the first horizontal line. Also, bycombining an image displayed on one or some of the liquid crystal cellsof the unit pixel by the driving of the third gate line GL3 and an imagedisplayed on the other liquid crystal cells or the other liquid crystalcell of the unit pixel by the driving of the fourth gate line GL4, adesired image is displayed on the unit pixel.

The liquid crystal cells of the remaining horizontal lines correspondingto the fifth to nth gate lines GL5 to GLn display images in the samemanner as those of the first and second horizontal lines describedabove. Therefore, displayed on the image display panel is an imagehaving a polarity pattern of a 1-dot inversion scheme where imagesignals are inverted in polarity on a liquid crystal cell basis.

On the other hand, although the polarity pattern of the image displayedon the image display panel has been described to be based on the 1-dotinversion scheme, the present invention is not limited thereto. Forexample, the polarity pattern of the displayed image may be set based onthe polarity control signal of the data control signal.

As described above, in the liquid crystal display device and the drivingmethod thereof according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention, first and second image signals having voltage levelssymmetrical about a middle voltage are supplied to a liquid crystal cellconnected to two data lines adjacent respectively to the left and rightsides thereof to drive a liquid crystal. Therefore, it is possible todisplay an image with only a data voltage without using a commonvoltage.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a liquid crystal display device accordingto a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a planview showing a layout of liquid crystal cells formed in an image displaypanel shown in FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the liquid crystal display device accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention is the same inconfiguration as the above-described liquid crystal display deviceaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention, with theexception of a connection structure of each liquid crystal cell formedin an image display panel 102. Therefore, a description of theconfiguration of the liquid crystal display device according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention, except the connectionstructure of each liquid crystal cell, will be replaced by the abovedescription of the first embodiment of the present invention.

The thin film transistors T of the liquid crystal cells P of eachhorizontal line are alternately arranged between two vertically adjacentgate lines, and the thin film transistors T of the liquid crystal cellsP of each vertical line are alternately arranged between twohorizontally adjacent data lines.

In detail, each of the thin film transistors T of odd ones (referred tohereinafter as a “first liquid crystal cell group”) P1 of the liquidcrystal cells P of the odd horizontal lines is connected to the (4i-3)th(where i is a natural number smaller than n/4) gate line GL4 i-3 and acorresponding one of the odd data lines DL1, DL3, DL5, . . . , DLm−1,except the (m+1)th data line DLm+1. Also, each of the thin filmtransistors T of even ones (referred to hereinafter as a “second liquidcrystal cell group”) P2 of the liquid crystal cells P of the oddhorizontal lines is connected to the (4i-2)th gate line GL4 i-2 and acorresponding one of the even data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm.These liquid crystal cells P of the odd horizontal lines have the sameconnection structures as those of the above-described liquid crystalcells of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Further, each of the thin film transistors T of odd ones (referred tohereinafter as a “third liquid crystal cell group”) P3 of the liquidcrystal cells P of the even horizontal lines is connected to the(4i-1)th gate line GL4 i-1 and a corresponding one of the even datalines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm.

Further, each of the thin film transistors T of even ones (referred tohereinafter as a “fourth liquid crystal cell group”) P4 of the liquidcrystal cells P of the even horizontal lines is connected to the (4i)thgate line GL4 i and a corresponding one of the odd data lines DL3, DL5,. . . , DLm+1, except the first data line DL1.

Each liquid crystal capacitor C1 of the first liquid crystal cell groupP1 drives a liquid crystal by forming a horizontal electric field basedon a potential difference between a first image signal from acorresponding one of the odd data lines DL1, DL3, DL5, . . . , DLm−1,except the (m+1)th data line DLm+1, and a second image signal from acorresponding one of the even data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm. Atthis time, the second image signal which is supplied from each of theeven data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm to the opposite electrode isa reference voltage to drive the first liquid crystal cell group P1.Each storage capacitor C2 of the first liquid crystal cell group P1stores the potential difference between the first image signal and thesecond image signal when the first liquid crystal cell group P1 isdriven, so as to maintain a voltage stored in each liquid crystalcapacitor C1 of the first liquid crystal cell group P1 after the thinfilm transistor T is turned off.

Each liquid crystal capacitor C1 of the second liquid crystal cell groupP2 drives a liquid crystal by forming an electric field based on apotential difference between a first image signal from a correspondingone of the even data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm and a second imagesignal from a corresponding one of the odd data lines DL3, DL5, . . . ,DLm+1, except the first data line DL1. At this time, the second imagesignal which is supplied from each of the odd data lines DL3, DL5, . . ., DLm+1, except the first data line DL1, to the opposite electrode is areference voltage to drive the second liquid crystal cell group P2. Eachstorage capacitor C2 of the second liquid crystal cell group P2 storesthe potential difference between the first image signal and the secondimage signal when the second liquid crystal cell group P2 is driven, soas to maintain a voltage stored in each liquid crystal capacitor C1 ofthe second liquid crystal cell group P2 after the thin film transistor Tis turned off.

Each liquid crystal capacitor C1 of the third liquid crystal cell groupP3 drives a liquid crystal by forming an electric field based on apotential difference between a first image signal from a correspondingone of the even data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm and a second imagesignal from a corresponding one of the odd data lines DL1, DL3, DLm−1,except the (m+1)th data line DLm+1. At this time, the second imagesignal which is supplied from each of the odd data lines DL1, DL3, . . ., DLm−1, except the (m+1)th data line DLm+1, to the opposite electrodeis a reference voltage to drive the third liquid crystal cell group P3.Each storage capacitor C2 of the third liquid crystal cell group P3stores the potential difference between the first image signal and thesecond image signal when the third liquid crystal cell group P3 isdriven, so as to maintain a voltage stored in each liquid crystalcapacitor C1 of the third liquid crystal cell group P3 after the thinfilm transistor T is turned off.

Each liquid crystal capacitor C1 of the fourth liquid crystal cell groupP4 drives a liquid crystal by forming a horizontal electric field basedon a potential difference between a first image signal from acorresponding one of the odd data lines (‘DL1’ □□) DL3, DL5, . . . ,DLm+1, except the first data line DL1, and a second image signal from acorresponding one of the even data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm. Atthis time, the second image signal which is supplied from each of theeven data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm to the opposite electrode isa reference voltage to drive the fourth liquid crystal cell group P4.Each storage capacitor C2 of the fourth liquid crystal cell group P4stores the potential difference between the first image signal and thesecond image signal when the fourth liquid crystal cell group P4 isdriven, so as to maintain a voltage stored in each liquid crystalcapacitor C1 of the fourth liquid crystal cell group P4 after the thinfilm transistor T is turned off.

FIGS. 10A to 10D are views illustrating the polarities of image signalssupplied to the image display panel and the polarities of the liquidcrystal cells of the image display panel, in a driving method of theliquid crystal display device according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention. FIGS. 10A to 10D show only liquid crystal cells towhich image signals are supplied.

First, the gate pulse is supplied to the first gate line GL1 by the gatedriving circuit 4. In synchronization with this, the data drivingcircuit 6 supplies positive (+) first image signals R11+, B11+, . . . ,G1 m+ respectively to the odd data lines DL1, DL3, DL5, . . . , DLm−1,except the (m+1)th data line DLm+1, and supplies negative (−) secondimage signals R11−, B11−, . . . , G1 m− respectively to the even datalines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm, as shown in FIG. 10A. As a result,each liquid crystal cell of the first liquid crystal cell group P1 ofthe first horizontal line displays a positive image (+) by driving theliquid crystal with a positive electric field based on a potentialdifference of the first image signal from the second image signalsupplied to the opposite electrode.

Thereafter, the gate pulse is supplied to the second gate line GL2 bythe gate driving circuit 4. In synchronization with this, the datadriving circuit 6 supplies negative (−) first image signals G11−, R12−,. . . , B1 m− respectively to the even data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . ,DLm and supplies positive (+) second image signals G11+, R12+, . . . ,B1 m+ respectively to the odd data lines DL3, DL5, . . . , DLm+1, exceptthe first data line DL1, as shown in FIG. 10B. At this time, asdescribed in the first embodiment of the present invention, although thenegative (−) first image signals G11−, R12−, . . . , B1 m− are suppliedto the even data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm, a potentialdifference charged in each liquid crystal cell P of the first liquidcrystal cell group P1 is maintained as it is.

As a result, each liquid crystal cell of the second liquid crystal cellgroup P2 of the first horizontal line displays a negative image (−) bydriving the liquid crystal with a negative electric field based on apotential difference of the first image signal from the second imagesignal supplied to the opposite electrode.

By displaying a negative image (−) on the second liquid crystal cellgroup P2 of the first horizontal line based on the driving of the secondgate line GL2 after displaying a positive image (+) on the first liquidcrystal cell group P1 of the first horizontal line based on the drivingof the first gate line GL1, as stated above, the polarities of theliquid crystal cells of the first horizontal line are inverted for everyliquid crystal cell. Also, by combining an image displayed on one orsome of the liquid crystal cells of the unit pixel by the driving of thefirst gate line GL1 and an image displayed on the other liquid crystalcells or the other liquid crystal cell of the unit pixel by the drivingof the second gate line GL2, a desired image is displayed on the unitpixel.

Thereafter, the gate pulse is supplied to the third gate line GL3 by thegate driving circuit 4. In synchronization with this, the data drivingcircuit 6 supplies negative (−) first image signals R21−, B21−, . . . ,G2 m− respectively to the even data lines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm andsupplies positive (+) second image signals R21+, B21+, . . . , G2 m+respectively to the odd data lines DL1, DL3, DL5, . . . , DLm−1, exceptthe (m+1)th data line DLm+1, as shown in FIG. 10C. As a result, eachliquid crystal cell of the third liquid crystal cell group P3 of thesecond horizontal line displays a negative image (−) by driving theliquid crystal with a negative electric field based on a potentialdifference of the first image signal from the second image signalsupplied to the opposite electrode.

Thereafter, the gate pulse is supplied to the fourth gate line GL4 bythe gate driving circuit 4. In synchronization with this, the datadriving circuit 6 supplies positive (+) first image signals G21+, R22+,. . . , B2 m+ respectively to the odd data lines DL3, DL5, . . . ,DLm+1, except the first data line DL1, and supplies negative (−) secondimage signals G21−, R22−, . . . , B2 m− respectively to the even datalines DL2, DL4, DL6, . . . , DLm, as shown in FIG. 10D. As a result,each liquid crystal cell of the fourth liquid crystal cell group P4 ofthe second horizontal line displays a positive image (+) by driving theliquid crystal with a positive electric field based on a potentialdifference of the first image signal from the second image signalsupplied to the opposite electrode.

By displaying a positive image (+) on the fourth liquid crystal cellgroup P4 of the second horizontal line based on the driving of thefourth gate line GL4 after displaying a negative image (−) on the thirdliquid crystal cell group P3 of the second horizontal line based on thedriving of the third gate line GL3, as stated above, the polarities ofthe liquid crystal cells of the second horizontal line are inverted forevery liquid crystal cell and become inverted ones of the polarities ofthe liquid crystal cells of the first horizontal line. Also, bycombining an image displayed on one or some of the liquid crystal cellsof the unit pixel by the driving of the third gate line GL3 and an imagedisplayed on the other liquid crystal cells or the other liquid crystalcell of the unit pixel by the driving of the fourth gate line GL4, adesired image is displayed on the unit pixel.

The liquid crystal cells of the remaining horizontal lines correspondingto the fifth to nth gate lines GL5 to GLn display images in the samemanner as those of the first and second horizontal lines describedabove. Therefore, displayed on the image display panel is an imagehaving a polarity pattern of a 1-dot inversion scheme where imagesignals are inverted in polarity on a liquid crystal cell basis.

On the other hand, although the polarity pattern of the image displayedon the image display panel has been described to be based on the 1-dotinversion scheme, the present invention is not limited thereto. Forexample, the polarity pattern of the displayed image may be set based onthe polarity control signal of the data control signal.

As described above, the liquid crystal display device and the drivingmethod thereof according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention provide the same effects as those of the first embodiment ofthe present invention, stated previously. Also, in the second embodimentof the present invention, the thin film transistors T of the liquidcrystal cells P are alternately arranged in the gate line direction andin the data line direction. Therefore, for display of an image having apolarity pattern based on the 1-dot inversion scheme on the imagedisplay panel 102, the polarities of image signals outputted from thedata driving circuit 6 are inverted for every data line and for every atleast one frame, thereby reducing power consumption of the data drivingcircuit 6. Of course, the power consumption of the data driving circuit6 according to the second embodiment of the present invention can bereduced similarly in other inversion schemes, as well as in the 1-dotinversion scheme.

As apparent from the above description, the liquid crystal displaydevice and the driving method thereof according to the present inventionhave effects as follows.

Firstly, a common voltage supply line for application of a commonvoltage to an opposite electrode of each liquid crystal cell is notrequired, thus increasing an aperture ratio of each liquid crystal cell.

Secondly, because first and second image signals symmetrical to eachother are supplied to each liquid crystal cell through two adjacent datalines, occurrence of a horizontal crosstalk can be eliminated. Inaddition, it is possible to eliminate occurrence of a flicker resultingfrom a DC component and prevent a liquid crystal from beingdeteriorated.

Thirdly, the polarity of an image signal to the opposite electrode ofeach liquid crystal cell is inverted based on an inversion scheme tocorrespond to a gate line driving frequency. Therefore, it is possibleto eliminate occurrence of an afterimage resulting from the polarityinversion of the image signal, so as to prevent a picture quality frombeing degraded.

Fourthly, an image is provided based on the first and second imagesignals symmetrical to each other. Therefore, the swing width of eachimage signal can be reduced, thus reducing the amount of heat to begenerated in a data driving circuit and the amount of current to beconsumed therein. Further, it is possible to drive the liquid crystalwith a high voltage, so as to increase a response speed of the liquidcrystal.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, itis intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A liquid crystal display device having a plurality of liquid crystalcells formed respectively in pixel areas defined by crossings of aplurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines, wherein each ofthe liquid crystal cells comprises: a thin film transistor connected toany one of the gate lines and any one of the data lines; and a liquidcrystal capacitor and a storage capacitor each formed between a dataline adjacent thereto, among the data lines, and the thin filmtransistor, wherein the thin film transistor of the liquid crystal cellsis alternately arranged between and alternately connected to every twovertically adjacent ones of the gate lines along the gate lines.
 2. Theliquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the thinfilm transistor of the liquid crystal cells is alternately arrangedbetween and alternately connected to every two horizontally adjacentones of the data lines along the data lines.
 3. A liquid crystal displaydevice having a plurality of liquid crystal cells formed respectively inpixel areas defined by crossings of a plurality of gate lines and aplurality of data lines, wherein each of the liquid crystal cells isconnected to two data lines adjacent respectively to left and rightsides thereof, among the data lines, and one unit pixel is constitutedby every first to third ones of the liquid crystal cells, arrangedadjacent to one another in a direction of the gate lines, wherein anyone of the liquid crystal cells of the unit pixel is connected to a gateline different from that to which the other liquid crystal cells of theunit pixel are connected.
 4. The liquid crystal display device accordingto claim 3, wherein each of the liquid crystal cells comprises: a thinfilm transistor connected to any one of the two adjacent data lines andany one of the gate lines; a pixel electrode connected to the thin filmtransistor; an opposite electrode connected to the other one of the twoadjacent data lines; a liquid crystal capacitor formed by a liquidcrystal layer between the pixel electrode and the opposite electrode;and a storage capacitor formed by an overlap of the pixel electrode andthe opposite electrode.
 5. The liquid crystal display device accordingto claim 4, wherein the thin film transistor of the liquid crystal cellsare alternately arranged between and alternately connected to every twovertically adjacent ones of the gate lines along the gate lines.
 6. Theliquid crystal display device according to claim 5, wherein the thinfilm transistor of the liquid crystal cells are alternately arrangedbetween and alternately connected to every two horizontally adjacentones of the data lines along the data lines.
 7. A liquid crystal displaydevice comprising: an image display panel including a plurality ofliquid crystal cells formed respectively in pixel areas defined bycrossings of a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines,each of the liquid crystal cells being driven by first and second imagesignals supplied respectively to two data lines adjacent respectively toleft and right sides thereof, among the data lines; a gate drivingcircuit for driving the gate lines; a data driving circuit forconverting the same data into the first and second image signals, thefirst and second image signals having voltage levels symmetrical to eachother, and supplying the converted first and second image signals toeach of the liquid crystal cells, respectively, through the two adjacentdata lines; and a timing controller for controlling the gate drivingcircuit and the data driving circuit and supplying the datacorresponding to the first and second image signals to the data drivingcircuit, wherein the first and second image signals are symmetricalabout a middle voltage between a lowest voltage and a highest voltage.8. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 7, wherein eachof the liquid crystal cells comprises: a thin film transistor connectedto any one of the two adjacent data lines and any one of the gate lines;a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor; an oppositeelectrode connected to the other one of the two adjacent data lines; aliquid crystal capacitor formed by a liquid crystal layer between thepixel electrode and the opposite electrode; and a storage capacitorformed by an overlap of the pixel electrode and the opposite electrode.9. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 8, wherein thethin film transistor of the liquid crystal cells are alternatelyarranged between and alternately connected to every two verticallyadjacent ones of the gate lines along the gate lines.
 10. The liquidcrystal display device according to claim 9, wherein the thin filmtransistor of the liquid crystal cells are alternately arranged betweenand alternately connected to every two horizontally adjacent ones of thedata lines along the data lines.
 11. The liquid crystal display deviceaccording to any one of claims 1, 5 and 9, wherein each of the datalines, except a first data line and a last data line, is connected incommon to two adjacent ones of the liquid crystal cells.
 12. The liquidcrystal display device according to claim 11, wherein the liquid crystalcells are arranged on a plurality of horizontal lines corresponding tothe direction of the gate lines, wherein each of the horizontal linescomprises: a first liquid crystal cell group including the liquidcrystal cells connected to a corresponding odd one of the gate lines;and a second liquid crystal cell group including the liquid crystalcells connected to a corresponding even one of the gate lines.
 13. Theliquid crystal display device according to any one of claims 2, 6 and10, wherein each of the data lines, except a first data line and a lastdata line, is connected in common to two adjacent ones of the liquidcrystal cells.
 14. The liquid crystal display device according to claim13, wherein the liquid crystal cells are arranged on a plurality ofhorizontal lines corresponding to the direction of the gate lines,wherein each odd one of the horizontal lines comprises: a first liquidcrystal cell group including the liquid crystal cells connected to a(4i-3)th (where i is a natural number smaller than a total number of thegate lines/4) one of the gate lines; and a second liquid crystal cellgroup including the liquid crystal cells connected to a (4i-2)th one ofthe gate lines, wherein each even one of the horizontal lines comprises:a third liquid crystal cell group including the liquid crystal cellsconnected to a (4i-1)th one of the gate lines; and a fourth liquidcrystal cell group including the liquid crystal cells connected to a(4i)th one of the gate lines.
 15. The liquid crystal display deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein the data driving circuit samples the data,and converts the sampled data into any one of the first and second imagesignals having a voltage level higher than the middle voltage and theother one of the first and second image signals having a voltage levellower than the middle voltage in response to a polarity control signal.16. A method for driving a liquid crystal display device, the liquidcrystal display device having a plurality of liquid crystal cells formedrespectively in pixel areas defined by intersections of a plurality ofgate lines and a plurality of data lines, the method comprising:sequentially driving the gate lines; converting the same data into firstand second image signals, the first and second image signals beingsymmetrical about a middle voltage between a lowest voltage and ahighest voltage; and supplying the first and second image signals toeach of the liquid crystal cells, respectively, through two data linesadjacent respectively to left and right sides thereof, among the datalines, synchronously with the driving of a corresponding one of the gatelines.
 17. A method for driving a liquid crystal display device, theliquid crystal display device having a plurality of liquid crystal cellsformed respectively in pixel areas defined by intersections of aplurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines, one unit pixelbeing constituted by every first to third ones of the liquid crystalcells, arranged adjacent to one another in a direction of the gatelines, the method comprising: sequentially driving the gate lines;converting the same data into first and second image signals, the firstand second image signals being symmetrical about a middle voltagebetween a lowest voltage and a highest voltage; and supplying the firstand second image signals to each of one or some of the liquid crystalcells of the unit pixel, respectively, through two data lines adjacentrespectively to left and right sides thereof, among the data lines,synchronously with the driving of a first one of two gate lines adjacentrespectively to upper and lower sides of the unit pixel, among the gatelines, and supplying the first and second image signals to each of theother liquid crystal cells or the other liquid crystal cell of the unitpixel, respectively, through two data lines adjacent respectively toleft and right sides thereof, among the data lines, synchronously withthe driving of a second one of the two adjacent gate lines.
 18. Themethod according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the step of convertingcomprises: generating a plurality of positive gamma voltages havingdifferent voltage levels higher than the middle voltage; generating aplurality of negative gamma voltages having different voltage levelslower than the middle voltage, the negative gamma voltages beingsymmetrical to the positive gamma voltages with respect to the middlevoltage; sampling the data; and converting the sampled data into thefirst and second image signals in response to a polarity control signalusing the positive gamma voltages and the negative gamma voltages. 19.The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of supplyingcomprises: supplying the first and second image signals to each of oddones of the liquid crystal cells on each horizontal line, respectively,through the two adjacent data lines synchronously with the driving of acorresponding odd one of the gate lines; and supplying the first andsecond image signals to each of even ones of the liquid crystal cells oneach horizontal line, respectively, through the two adjacent data linessynchronously with the driving of a corresponding even one of the gatelines.
 20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step ofsupplying comprises: supplying the first and second image signals toeach of odd ones of the liquid crystal cells on each odd horizontalline, respectively, through a thin film transistor connected to a(4i-3)th (where i is a natural number smaller than a total number of thegate lines/4) one of the gate lines and to an odd one of the twoadjacent data lines, and an even one of the two adjacent data lines;supplying the first and second image signals to each of even ones of theliquid crystal cells on each odd horizontal line, respectively, througha thin film transistor connected to a (4i-2)th one of the gate lines andto the odd data line, and the even data line; supplying the first andsecond image signals to each of odd ones of the liquid crystal cells oneach even horizontal line, respectively, through a thin film transistorconnected to a (4i-1)th one of the gate lines and to the even data line,and the odd data line; and supplying the first and second image signalsto each of even ones of the liquid crystal cells on each even horizontalline, respectively, through a thin film transistor connected to a (4i)thone of the gate lines and to the even data line, and the odd data line.21. The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of supplyingcomprises: supplying the first and second image signals to odd ones ofthe liquid crystal cells on each horizontal line synchronously with thedriving of the first gate line; and supplying the first and second imagesignals to even ones of the liquid crystal cells on each horizontal linesynchronously with the driving of the second gate line.
 22. The methodaccording to claim 17, wherein the step of supplying comprises:supplying the first and second image signals to each of odd ones of theliquid crystal cells on each odd horizontal line, respectively, througha thin film transistor connected to the first gate line and to an oddone of the two adjacent data lines, and an even one of the two adjacentdata lines; supplying the first and second image signals to each of evenones of the liquid crystal cells on each odd horizontal line,respectively, through a thin film transistor connected to the secondgate line and to the odd data line, and the even data line; supplyingthe first and second image signals to each of odd ones of the liquidcrystal cells on each even horizontal line, respectively, through a thinfilm transistor connected to the first gate line and to the even dataline, and the odd data line; and supplying the first and second imagesignals to each of even ones of the liquid crystal cells on each evenhorizontal line, respectively, through a thin film transistor connectedto the second gate line and to the even data line, and the odd dataline.